Are you looking for a reliable roofer? Despite the extensive selection of such professionals in every local area, generally, one must keep in mind that while hiring roofers, no more than a few roofing contractors are worthwhile to hire.
Homeowners are faced with a challenging decision when opting for the right specialist to repair, replace, or install a new roof. Given the myriad of storm chasers, residents are advised to keep their eyes wide open when interviewing and researching contractors. Nowadays, the most reputable roofing contractors are expected to be insured, licensed, and experienced.
These are the most common mistakes residents of Mays Landing are advised to avoid when hiring roofers.
Hiring an unlicensed roofer
In the hope of cutting costs, a myriad of homeowners in Mays Landing is tempted to hire an unlicensed roofing contractor. This type of mistake, however, is likely to cost residents substantially more in the long run. Hiring an unlicensed roofer is violating the regulations of virtually all states, which require professional roofers to obtain a roofing license.
In addition, licensed roofers are familiar with the local building codes and comply with them in order to avoid issues with the law. The only way for these professionals to obtain a license is bypassing the tests by the local government after attending extensive training. Hence, every homeowner is encouraged to ask for proof of license prior to signing any agreement. (treerush.com)
Hiring an uninsured roofer
Collaborating with an uninsured roofer is another typical mistake residents of Mays Landing are advised against making. Insurance is of the utmost importance for these professionals, as roofing accidents and property damage are likely to occur in such projects. Despite their experience, these specialists might fall from roofs and sustain severe injuries, such as broken bones, brain traumas, or spinal cord injuries.
Moreover, on windy days, it’s possible for a tool to fly off the roof and break a window or damage the exterior of one’s house. In order not to be held financially responsible for both medical and property repair costs, make sure you hire a contractor with general liability insurance. These policies minimize the level of financial risk, as roofing contractors are held liable to provide financial compensation. Click here to check out the different types of property damage.
Homeowners are also recommended to stay away from weekend warriors, such as some of their close friends. Apart from being unlicensed, weekend warriors have no insurance to cover medical expenses in the event of an accident. Although a friend of yours might try to persuade you to repair your roof at an affordable price, you aren’t supposed to take such a high level of financial risk.
Working with a storm chaser
Storm chasers are roofers infamous for offering roofing repair services to homeowners after severe weather incidents. These dodgy contractors wait for a tornado or a storm to strike a particular area and hit the road once the storm settles down. After arriving in the affected region, storm chasers employ forceful persuasion techniques to talk homeowners into hiring roofers.
Nevertheless, these so-called roofers have neither license nor insurance. Their goal is to earn fast money without investing any effort. Most storm chasers repair roofs by using low-quality materials and employing wrong techniques for the job, whereas others take a deposit from residents and never show up to work on the project. Therefore, it’s paramount to stay away from persuasive contractors who offer their services for a low price and insist on getting a deposit on the first meeting.
Not having your roof inspected
Skipping roof inspection is another common mistake residents of Mays Landing are encouraged not to make. For instance, some roofing contractors offer an estimate to homeowners without conducting a thorough roof inspection. However, in order for roofers to provide clients with an exact quote, they are expected to examine the condition of the roof prior to receiving a written estimate.
In addition, make sure you avoid roofing contractors that provide over-the-phone quotes, as these professionals have no clue of the integrity of your roof. Explaining roof defects over the phone is not enough for roofers to determine the approximate cost of the project.
In most cases, contractors charge much more to homeowners after taking a detailed look at their roofs than the price they’ve stated on the phone. Go to the following link, https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/roof-problems-and-what-to-do-about-them/, to get familiar with the ten most common roofing problems.
Hiring the wrong type of roofer
When looking for a roofing contractor, one is supposed to hire a professional that specializes in the type of roofs he/she intends to install or repair. Not all roofers are experts at installing, replacing or repairing different types of roofs, which is why you need to choose the right specialist.
For instance, shinglers are professionals that specialize in installing asphalt shingles, wood shingles, and tiles, whereas metal roofers are experts at installing metal and PVC roofs. Consequently, hiring a shingler would be of no use in the event of installing a metal roof. Make sure you verify the experience of candidates prior to selecting a specialist.
Getting no warranty
Getting no warranty is yet another frequent mistake residents of Mays Landing should avoid making. Given the expensiveness of roof installation, roofing contractors are obliged to provide homeowners with two types of warranty, both material and workmanship warranty. The former is expected to cover a period of at least 25 to a maximum of 50 years, whereas the latter is usually no longer than ten years.
Moreover, when interviewing roofers, it’s vital for homeowners to discuss warranties. Stay away from interviewees who offer no information regarding such guarantees or provide none to clients. Most warranties cover the cost of leaks along with the necessary labor for leak repair. Additionally, material guarantees cover the cost for shingle or tile replacement in the case of broken, cracked, or improperly installed shingles.
Final thoughts
Your home deserves the necessary protection.
Don’t neglect the condition of your roof!
